I am just starting. Sometimes I go to the casinos in Council Bluffs, IA and watch at a table for 2 or 3 shoes to get the feel of the game. Will this cause the casino to be suspicious that I am a counter?

I really don't know the answer. I am curious, though, as to what you mean by getting the "feel" of the game. What "feel" are you looking for, and if you find it, how do you know it will remain on the next shoe?

You won't get kicked out of a casino for watching the game. You might run into trouble if they catch you watching a game for several rounds then jumping in with a big bet ("big" will depend on the casino's tolerance) but they will often give you plenty of warnings before they do anything to you. Dont worry about it.-Sonny-

I would think that if a player backcounted three or four tables prior to placing a bet he would attrack quite a bit of attention. I believe you backcount the first, jump in if positive, play the second shoe and wong out if neg quick, etc. Backcount the next, play next etc. and then get the hell out of there. Unless your in AC..lol

You can look like a counter even if you are not a counter, if your actions are suspicious.

By the same token, you can count without looking like a counter if your actions appear to be benign to the pit. Surely one can figure out how to look like they are waiting on someone, while standing casually by a BJ table. Most of the time looking around the room, glancing at your watch from time to time, making a fake cell phone call, etc, all the while back-counting. If the count jumps, you can come up with something like "Think I'll jump in for a round or two, looks like my wife is going to be a bit later than she thought..." or something similar...

If you don't understand this, go into an expensive jewelry store, furtively glance around, try to note all the locations of the security cameras, walk over to each one and carefully look around, etc. See how long it is before you get some attention. :)